It's often the case that I find myself agreeing with much...but not all...of what you say Peter, but I do like the way you always manage to mention 'THE LEFT!' True Blue, as you have often stated! Fascists was the word often chanted about the police back in the day...Used as a weapon by Thatcher and her bully boys to beat down any resistance to her drive for a 'better' Britain! Maybe things haven't changes so much...

All down to interpretation of course! BTW, this is a totally lighthearted observation and not a dig at you Can't be arsed to argue politics. It's too pointless

I've encountered the bully and the decent copper and most of the time the decent ones have come through. Just my personal experience.

Great thread. That policeman is an arrogant arsehole and he personifies the reason why the police are systematically losing the respect of the very people they 'police'. To attempt to use terrorism laws to detain him is an absolute disgrace. Completely shameful.

also i'd like to add that i hate the police too.. and i have 3 in my family (had, retired now)

but in addition, you're saying he (the photographer) sounds cocky, i am disagreeing...

His tone of voice is cocky. Beyond that, I'm not going to get dragged into a petty and pointless debate about whether or not he is, but instead, I maintain the view that whether was cocky, polite, or even downright rude, he was right.

His tone of voice is cocky. Beyond that, I'm not going to get dragged into a petty and pointless debate about whether or not he is, but instead, I maintain the view that whether was cocky, polite, or even downright rude, he was right.

ahh i see. ye, it sound like a general whiney adolescent voice, in a state of mild panic..

been there too.. i have an authority problem, i admit that

It sounds to me like the voice of a kid who KNOWS that no matter what he says, the fucking moron (cop) is not going to listen. But it is underwritten by a general 'I know more than you pig' kind of tone.

So essentially, I think we are (and always have been) making the same point!!

If you told me this story was from China, North Korea or old Soviet Republic then I'd understand. But the UK !!! As a amateur photographer I have read many of these stories of people being abused by Police, usually PCSO's, in public spaces taking innocent photographs. And we are supposed to live in a free and democratic country ...... my arse!!

The kid did exactly right, challenge a mis informed Police officer who used his supposed public order power to put I youngster down. And we wonder why teenagers have no respect for authority! I am not sure age was the issue here as the copper was on one.

Anti terrorism laws are being over abused and it will only get worse, if its not bad enough already.